A BRASS BAND IN A CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2287, 30 December 1897, Page 37

A BRASS BAND IN A CHURCH.

A Chicago despatch dated November 1 reports :—": — " Amid strains of martial music from a full-fledged brass band, the congregation of the First Methodist Church, at Clark and Washington streets, assembled for the service last night. Upon entering the church, instead of the customary choir and minister, the worshippers saw a glittering array cf brass buttons, gilt braid and highly poliehed instruments. A military band occupied the rostrum behind the pulpit and executed the music. The faces of small boys in the audience beamed with delight and the airs floating out in<-o the street made the passers-by gaze wonderiDgly at the windows in que3t of eomething to inform them of what was in progress bftyond them. This departure from the trodden path of religious service by the pastor, Rev. Dr Brushingham, was followed by another on the part of the congregation. When the band had finished playing a lively selection ia waltz time the audience applauded and cheered heartily. The demonstration by his fljck was not frowned on by the pastor. On the contrary, his eyes sparkled with good humour as he stepped up to the pulpit and said : ' I don't wonder you feel like .cheering ; this music is what the people all want, and what we must have.' When about half- way through his sermon Dr Brushingham turned towards the men in the bright uniforms bshind him and remarked : 'I must hasten towards the close of this sermon, for when I fiuish these boys are goiDg to give us some more music, and I am anxious to hear them play again.' During his sermon the Rev. Dr Brush-* ingham spoke briefly on the lives and character* of the late George M. Pullin»n and the l&tt Henry George."

Intoxicating liquors have been made from tho sap of the birch, the willow, and tot* poplar.